No Opposition

No Opposition

Revelation 11: ⁴ The two witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lamps that stand before the Lord of the earth. ⁵ If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths and destroys their enemies; and in this way whoever tries to harm them will be killed. ⁶ They have authority to shut up the sky so that there will be no rain during the time they proclaim God's message. They have authority also over the springs of water, to turn them into blood; they have authority also to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

 

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Trying to watch a TV show, I got my food ready because I did not want to miss a moment. Just when it got to the “good part”, the doorbell rang. “Would you like to buy my stuff?” was the unimportant interruption. I got back to my program and an important moment had passed.

 

• I was interrupted.
• The salesperson was trying to get me to hear a different message than the one I wanted to hear.
• My peace was opposed.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw the two witnesses of the “LORD of the earth.” They will be sent to “proclaim GOD’s message.” Any opposition to this message will be met with severe retaliation, leading to destruction.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave the two witnesses the authority to speak on HIS behalf.
• GOD also gave the two witnesses the authority over earth, water and fire.
• GOD’s message is so important that human messages will not oppose HIM.

 

No message will oppose GOD’s message. I mean, in these days of bad news, political posturing, and overt or covert hyper-individualism GOD’s message of love can be lost. To some humans, HE can be viewed as a weakling, who allows bad things and randomly gives the lottery to people. BUT GOD sees all hearts.

 

GOD is patient versus weak. Unfortunately one day, HIS patience will end on the Day the LORD returns. HE told us what HE would do and it is up to us to heed HIS warning. The Gospel is available for anyone to accept, right now.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer trying to describe?
• Have you ever tried to hear an important message and were interrupted?
• Will you seek to understand that GOD is trying to reach many people and is being patient, so while HE is, will you proclaim HIS message today?

Either One or the Other

Either One or the Other

James 3: Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! ⁶ And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. ⁷ We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures—wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. ⁸ But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. ⁹ We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen! ¹¹ No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. ¹² A fig tree, my friends, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water.

 

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Laughter was my attraction as I approached the crowd. Jokes about a particular teacher made us giggle. They teasingly added my name with the association of this teacher. I quickly disassociated myself from the teacher in front of everyone. Little did I know, the teacher was coming down the stairs and heard my words.

 

• I was trying to be a good in front of the teacher and side with the mean crowd.
• I was trying to side with both sides.
• I was trying to fit in all over the place.

 

James addressed double-mindedness in a different way. He talked about the “tongue” being tiny, yet very powerful. The words spoken can be full of hate or love.  He then explains how words affect who we are.

 

My Observations:

• My words need to be tamed so I can speak about JESUS without sounding hypocritical.
• My words need to turn into actions so they should not be filled with hate or slander.
• My words need to be gentle so I can be consistent in my actions.

 

Poisonous words are dangers to speak. I mean, joining in with the crowd may seem like a good idea, but when it includes talking about someone in a negative way, I become susceptible to adding poison to my own heart without knowing it. This poison seems innocent, because “everyone else” is doing it. BUT GOD wants better.

 

HE desires that I tame my tongue so it is not wild and full of venom. HE sees my thoughts and gives me a choice. Either choose poison or “sweet water.” In other words, choose GOD or choose the world. I am glad GOD can help me with my words so my heart can be healed.

 

Challenge

• What comparisons does the writer use?
• Have you ever said something that seemed like an innocent comment about someone, but was a negative joke?
• Will you ask GOD to help tame your tongue so you can present GOD to others in a loving, peaceful way today?

Putting Words in Mouths

Matthew 16: ²¹ From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

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“You won’t die” were my words to the person I donated blood platelets to. I mean this was my desire and I truly meant it with the best intentions. BUT GOD had other intentions.

• Sometimes when I speak about GOD, humanity is mixed in.
• Sometimes when I talk about HIS power, my sinfulness is mixed in.
• Sometimes when I utter words about GOD, I place my desires over HIS supremacy.

“GOD won’t do this” or “GOD won’t do that” may be my hopes, but may not be quite true. Peter did not know GOD’s wonderful purpose of saving mankind. He saw JESUS as the next great leader who had some better parlor tricks than anyone else. His statement “YOU are the CHRIST” was doused by saying “YOU won’t die”.

Peter did not know GOD’s intention to save the world through HIS death and resurrection so he put words in HIS mouth.  

• GOD wants me to ask what to say before I speak.
• GOD wants me to tell the truth in love speaking only from what GOD has to say.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid to give the hard news of the reality of HIS plan.

Worry ensues when I go against GOD’s plan. When HE wants to “ruin” me and I don’t want to be ruined, I worry and perhaps put words in HIS mouth. HE has taken me down many times only to build me up better than before. Following GOD’s plan means I allow HIM to be supreme. I do not have to place human words in HIS mouth.

• Are you secretly trying to steer GOD?
• Do you find yourself trying to get your way by saying you are exercising faith but you are really exercising worry?
• Can you stop trying to manipulate the situation and allow GOD to transform you into something greater?